BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL TO HEAR PRESENTATION ON MIXED-INCOME COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECT
The topic of tax credit housing in Brenham will come back before the Brenham City Council at a busy meeting on Thursday.
along Highway 290, west of Westwood Lane.
(courtesy Trinity Housing Development)
The council will hold a work session about a proposed mixed-income community housing development called Brenham Junction, to be located on the north side of Highway 290, west of Westwood Lane.
Councilmembers will hear from Trinity Housing Development, who is submitting an application for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and potentially the Multifamily Direct Loan program through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. No action will be taken.
According to the developer’s presentation included in the agenda packet, Brenham Junction will have 48 apartment units of one to three bedrooms, open to all ages. The developer is targeting half of the units to be at market rate, with the others being units bound to tax credit rent and income restrictions at or below 60 percent Area Median Income.
Trinity Housing Development is currently building another project in Brenham, that being Brenham Trails on South Market Street. The building will have 49 one- and two-bedroom apartments to lease for seniors 55 and older.
A resolution of support is needed from the Brenham City Council by March 1st in order for the developer to be able to apply for and receive tax credit funding to build the project. Without a resolution from the council, the state will not grant funding for the development.
The issue of subsidized housing has come before the council in recent years, and has brought with it much debate between councilmembers and the public. Last year, the council voted 4-3 in opposition to The Bluebonnet, a workforce housing community that would have been located on Prairie Lea Street. In 2021, the council initially voted unanimously in favor of a tax credit home development on Pecan Street, but later rescinded that approval and voted 6-1 against it.
In other action, councilmembers will act on a license agreement between the city and Mescalito Coffee Company to build a downtown parklet adjacent to their business at 100 East Alamo Street. City staff say Mescalito’s request meets all of the criteria set by the council in the parklet manual. After approval of a permit, the project would take seven to eight weeks to complete.
In executive session, the council, among other things, will discuss the annual evaluation of the city manager. Any action from the evaluation will be taken in open session.
Also on Thursday, the council will:
- Hold executive session discussion regarding City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Cause No. 37573, 335th Judicial District Court; Aviators Plus v. City of Brenham, Cause No. 37896, 21st Judicial District Court; and legal issues concerning the Lake Somerville raw water intake structure and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Consider the termination of the license agreement between the city and Country Sunshine related to the mobile kitchen located adjacent to 110 West Main Street. The company relocated its mobile kitchen to Brazos Valley Brewing Company property last year. Danielle Holle originally requested that La Jefe mobile kitchen, owned by Zaira Pelayos, be able to utilize this location to provide food service supplemental to a new business venture the Holle’s launched on the property, Mas Vino. After discussion with the city, the La Jefe mobile kitchen will be located wholly on the site, subject to applicable mobile kitchen permitting.
- Potentially accept a proposal for aviation fuel supply and associated services at the Brenham Municipal Airport.
- Act on a resolution for the installation of a changeable electronic variable message sign to be located at 1007 Walter Schwartz Way.
- Consider submitting a grant application through the Community Development Partnership Program offered by the Lower Colorado River Authority to purchase two electronic message boards for the city.
- Hold a public hearing on and potentially approve an ordinance to amend the city’s thoroughfare plan pertaining to the removal of a proposed collector street between Old Masonic Road and FM 2935. The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the item at its meeting December 19th.
- Hear a noise variance request from Tara Royer Steele for live outdoor music at the Fireman’s Park pavilion on various dates between January 21st and June 30th. Gather n Grace will be hosting Monday Family Dinners, which is a free meal for the community every Monday through June 30, 2023, beginning this past Monday, January 16th from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Consider a noise variance request from Brazos Valley Brewing Company, who is asking about live outdoor music at 206 South Jackson Street on various dates between January 20th and June 30th. Brazos Valley Brewing Company Owner Joshua Bass is requesting to hold live outdoor music at the business beginning this weekend and lasting through June 30th. The music will be provided by various bands and will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Vote on several election items, including an interlocal agreement between the city, Brenham ISD and Blinn College for the May 6th election, as well as an election services contract between the city and county related to election responsibilities.
- Consider an addendum to the contract for participation in the city’s rotation log for non-consent tows.
- Act on the appointment of nine members to serve on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board of Directors for a period of two years beginning January 1, 2023. The council will also choose a board member to serve as chairman for one year.
The council will meet Thursday at 1 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Thursday's meeting.
Frankly this is simply too much housing projects. They’re literally building another housing project right now as we speak. Rent and houses in brenham are exceptionally affordable as-is. Enough is enough.
Enough of the low income housing.
Actually, there is not enough low income housing, or housing that is affordable for most people who live and work here.
All the new houses are extremely overpriced and made for the new people who are moving here from bigger cities and other states. Did you recently buy your house, or did you get it before the prices went overboard? Or did you get it from your parents and their hard work??
Most of us did not inherit, if that is you. Washington County is not a county with high annual incomes. There are many high value properties, but that is not the same. There is already a shortage of people who can work here and afford to live here. We need more affordable housing, low income housing, all of it. If someone needs help because housing/food/fuel costs are on the rise, then they should get the help. They are not bad people. Most people are just trying to make it day by day and take care of their families. There is enough money in this state, and in Washington D.C. to help those in need. A rising tide lifts all boats. Helping out those who need it, helps all in the long run.
Well said JD. I’m sick of the “holier than thou” mentality when some people of this town hear the words “lower income”
I grew up poor. I do not have any inherited assets from my parents. I’m working a full time job making 17 bucks an hour and STILL cant afford housing after basic bills are paid. Our quality of life matters just as much as upper middle class and the wealthy…
“Hear a noise variance request from Tara Royer Steele for live outdoor music at the Fireman’s Park pavilion on various dates between January 21st and June 30th. There will also be a noise variance request from Brazos Valley Brewing Company, who is asking about live outdoor music at 206 South Jackson Street on various dates between January 20th and June 30th.”
Council will approve not caring that the neighbors don’t want to hear this noise.
Doesn’t anyone with an issue against these noise variances have the opportunity to speak on their concerns as well? I’m sure they do and if I had to guess nobody did!
The city council meeting is your first opportunity.
Also do you even know the reason for Mrs. Steele’s noise variance? It is for community meals every week for anyone that wants to show up! I mean what’s bad about doing something for the community? But I guess people gonna find things to gripe about for sure!
Agreed. Why not an event center? What about peoples privacy? Go party somewhere else…
I have no opinion as to If this should be built Or Not, But I can say that A Red Light will be needed to enter Hwy 290 Safely , Right now especially on Friday through Sunday traffic is Backed up almost to North Belin Road . There’s no way people living at the new Complex will ever be able to get out of their neighborhood. Without a Redlight to help I expect many accidents at this location